Vice President JD Vance Presses Indiana GOP on Redistricting Ahead of 2026 Midterms

By Michael Katz | Wednesday, 08 October 2025 07:28 PM EDT

Vice President JD Vance is set to visit Indiana on Friday to engage with state leaders as the White House intensifies efforts for Republican-led states to redraw congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Multiple sources, including two Republican state senators, confirmed to the Indiana Capital Chronicle that Vance will meet with lawmakers in Indianapolis. This comes as GOP legislators in Indiana debate a special session for midcycle redistricting, a move that has sparked internal divisions within the party.

President Donald Trump has urged Republican-led states to adjust their maps before the 2026 elections to secure the House majority for the remainder of his second term. Redistricting typically follows the decennial census. Currently, Republicans hold seven of Indiana’s nine congressional districts, with Democratic representation concentrated in the northwest and central regions.

Republican Gov. Mike Braun recently voiced concerns about the redistricting initiative’s viability to the White House, according to Politico. A source cited by the outlet described Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray as unhelpful, noting he has “hidden behind” colleagues and “poured cold water on the idea.” State Sen. Sue Glick, a Republican from LaGrange, stated that most lawmakers she spoke with lack enthusiasm for redrawing maps, arguing previous boundaries were fair.

The state Senate Republican caucus has remained largely silent on the issue, while House and Senate Republicans have held private discussions. Vance’s visit marks his second trip to Indiana in two months. In August, he met with Braun, Bray, and House Speaker Todd Huston to advocate for redistricting. Though Braun described the meeting as “pretty good,” neither he nor legislative leaders committed to the proposal.

Later that month, dozens of GOP lawmakers from Indiana’s House and Senate traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with Vance and federal officials on topics including redistricting. Bray and Huston met with Trump during the trip, per the Chronicle. Braun has emphasized the need for consensus before considering a legislative session.

Michael Katz is a Newsmax reporter with over 30 years of experience covering news, culture, and politics.

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